Combined nozzle for dust vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

Combined nozzle for a dust vacuum-cleaner includes a brush with an interchangeable arrangement at the end of a tube connected to a suction device. The brush has a lower planar face and joint for an arrangement in two different transverse positions with respect to the tube or two different positions longitudinally in the tube extension. In each position, the suction is achieved by an opening in the planar face, or an opening at one of the ends. The joint includes a pivot about at least two axes, such that, when in a position for suction by an end, the brush is oriented so that the lower face and the longitudinal axis of the brush are essentially parallel to the axis of the suction tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a combined nozzle for a dust vacuum-cleaner.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.

There are already known nozzles for a dust vacuum-cleaner. Each nozzle has a particular use, and they are interchangeably fitted at the end of a tube connected to a suction device.

The most frequently used nozzles of this type are the brush for hard floors, the carpet brush or the like, and the suction devices for suction in narrow places. In order to avoid the necessity for the user to have to frequently change the nozzle, so-called “combined” nozzles, i.e. nozzles transformable to pass from one use to another use, have been provided.

Such nozzles are essentially for brushes, in order to allow passing from a hard floor to a carpet or the like, and vice-versa, without changing the nozzle, which is achieved through retractable brushes.

Except for some very specific cases that require a suction device of an adapted shape, the pragmatic user removes the brush and uses the bare tube, then fixes the brush in order to carry on. Removing and fixing the brush are operations not easy to carry out, because the connection is steady, in order to ensure good mechanical strength. In addition, when the brush is laid down on the floor, it is necessary to bend the body to take it up after using the suction device. When held by the hand, this transition is detrimental to guiding the tube.

Some people have provided combined nozzles permitting conversion from the brush to the suction device, and vice-versa. Such a nozzle is described in World Intellectual Property Organization Publication No. WO 02/39865, and it includes an elongated brush having, on the lower side, a planar face, being provided or not with brushes, and being provided with a joint means. Depending on a pivoting according to an axis substantially perpendicular to said planar face, the joint means allows positioning transversely with respect to the tube or longitudinally in the extension of said tube, so as to carry out the suction through an opening extending over the full length, or part of the same, of the brush or through an opening arranged at an end of said brush, respectively.

This nozzle has drawbacks in that maneuvering is not easy when being configured for either use as brush or suction. Though its use is identical, in the brush function, to that of a traditional brush, the nozzle function is used in very limited ways, even inefficient ways, namely because of the inclination of the brush with respect to the tube, and because it must be pushed onto the floor.

German Patent No. DE 1173623 also provides a combined nozzle, which includes an elongated brush having, on its lower side, a planar face being provided, or not, with brushes, and being provided with a joint means. The joint means, depending on a pivoting according to an axis substantially parallel to said planar face, allows transversely or longitudinally positioning, so as to carry out the suction through an opening over the full length of the brush or at an end of the latter through another opening provided to this end, respectively.

Such a nozzle also has drawbacks, namely in that in the suction-device position, though the brush can be positioned parallel to the tube, it is on the other hand laterally offset with respect to the axis of said tube. Because of the imbalance and its size, is particularly prejudicial to the maneuverability and the precision of use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide a combined nozzle for a dust vacuum-cleaner allowing coping with the various above-mentioned drawbacks.

The combined nozzle for a dust vacuum-cleaner according to the invention comprises a brush interchangeably arranged at the end of a tube connected to a suction device. The brush has a planar face on the lower side thereof with or without brushes. A joint means permits arrangement thereof in at least two different positions, namely transverse with respect to the tube or longitudinally in the extension of the tube. In each position, the suction is carried out through an opening provided for at the level of the planar face over its full length, or part of the same planar face, or through an opening positioned at one of the ends, respectively. Essentially the joint means have means for permitting a pivoting according to at least two axes so that, when the brush is positioned for use for suction through one end, the brush is oriented so that the lower face as well as the longitudinal axis of the brush are substantially parallel to the axis of the suction tube.

The joint means permit not only guiding along the suction path, but also orientation of the nozzle so that the nozzle can be used in a way similar to a traditional suction-device in the suction-device function.

According to an additional feature of the combined nozzle of the invention, the upper portion of the brush is so shaped to accommodate the suction tube or the like, when the latter is arranged along the axis of the end opening, on a side opposite the one including the end opening.

According to another additional feature of the combined nozzle according to the invention, the nozzle includes a spring means capable of restoring the brush portion into the longitudinal position, in the extension of the suction tube.

According to another additional feature of the combined nozzle according to the invention, the joint means are in the form of a hollow spherical joint.

The joint means also include two spherical or partly spherical elements, one of them being capable of closely pivoting inside the other one. The elements are provided with openings capable of being brought in front of each other depending on the orientation of one of said elements with respect to the other one.

According to a particular embodiment of the combined nozzle according to the invention, the joint means include a pivotal chamber. The suction tube ends in the pivotal chamber, which includes an opening capable, depending on the pivoting, of being brought into communication with either the end opening or the opening provided for at the level of the planar face.

According to an additional feature of the particular embodiment of the combined nozzle according to the invention, the suction tube is pivotally mounted, directly or indirectly, on the movable chamber, according to an axis perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the axis of pivoting of said chamber.

According to another additional feature of the particular embodiment of the combined nozzle according to the invention, the end of the suction tube closely penetrates into the movable chamber, depending on pivoting of said end.

According to another additional feature of the particular embodiment of the combined nozzle according to the invention, the present invention includes an automatic indexing system for the brush in the extension of the suction tube. The system comprises a connecting rod pivotally articulated on said brush, restored by a spring, and capable of engaging an eccentric supporting point of the movable chamber, so as to cause the latter to pivot.

The advantages and features of the combined nozzle according to the invention will become clear from the following description, which refers to the attached drawings, which represents several non-restrictive embodiments of same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents a partial and schematic cross-sectional view according to a median vertical plane of the combined nozzle for a dust vacuum-cleaner according to the invention, in a brush position.

FIG. 2 represents a partial and schematic cross-sectional view according to a median vertical plane of the same nozzle, in a suction-device position.

FIG. 3 represents a partial and schematic cross-sectional view according to a median horizontal plane of the same nozzle, in the suction-device position.

FIG. 4 represents a schematic top and cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the combined nozzle for a dust vacuum-cleaner according to the invention.

FIG. 5 represents a schematic elevational and cross-sectional view of the same nozzle.

FIG. 6 represents a partial schematic plane and cross-sectional view of the same nozzle.

FIG. 7 represents a schematic cross-sectional view of the same nozzle.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b represent partial schematic cross-sectional views of a portion of the same nozzle, in two different positions of operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one can see a first embodiment 1 of a combined nozzle according to the invention, assembled at the end of a tube 2 connected to suction means, not shown. The combined nozzle 1 comprises an elongated element 10, aimed at forming a brush, including a lower planar face 11 provided with a longitudinal opening 12 and capable of being provided with retractable or non-retractable brushes. One of its ends has a suction opening 13 capable of being connected to the tube 2 through conduit 14.

The combined nozzle 1 includes a sleeve 15 for coupling to the tube 2, which is connected to the element 10 through multi-axis joint means 16 capable of permitting, through pivoting motions according to the arrows P and R, orientation of the element 10 so that, like in FIG. 1, the element 10 is in the brush position. Oriented transversely, the face 10 is parallel to the floor S, while the tube 2 is at an angle with respect to the floor S, and like in FIGS. 2 and 3, the element 10 is, in the suction-device position, oriented in the extension of tube 2. The face 10 is substantially parallel to the tube 2.

The element 10 also includes a valve system 3 permitting, depending on its brush or suction-device position, the suction to occur through the opening 12 or the opening 13, respectively.

When referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 a and 8 b, one can see another embodiment 4 of the combined nozzle according to the invention.

It also includes an elongated element 40 forming a brush the lower face 41 of which is provided with a longitudinal suction opening 42, while a suction opening 43 is arranged at one end and is capable of being connected, or not, through a conduit 44, to a sleeve 45 for coupling to the suction tube, not shown, through a multi-axis joint means 5.

The joint means 5 shown in particular in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 a and 8 b, is in the form of a chamber-like part 50 pivoting about an axis XX′ that extends substantially perpendicular to the general axis of the brush 40.

This part 50 includes a plate or the like 51, on which can be articulated the sleeve 45, on a pivot 46 with an axis YY′ perpendicular to the axis XX′. To this end, the end 47 of the sleeve 45 is so shaped as to be capable, depending on the pivoting according to the axis YY′, of penetrating into the part 50 through an opening 52 in the latter, as can be seen in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, which represent the two extreme positions capable of being adopted during this pivoting.

The part 50 also includes, in front of the opening 52, a second opening 53 aimed at being positioned in front of either the conduit 44 or the opening 42, depending on the pivoting according to the axis XX′.

It will be understood that, depending on the position of the part 50, the suction occurs either through the opening 43 or through the opening 42.

When the nozzle 4 is used in a traditional way, the articulation of the part 50 according to both axes XX′ and YY′ permits the orientation of the brush 40. One should note the presence of sealing skirts 54 arranged on both sides of the opening 53, which permit to guarantee the suction during the orientation of the brush 40.

For a use as a suction-device, the end 47 of the sleeve 45 is fully inserted into the part 50, which pivots so as to position the opening 53 in front of the conduit 44. While the sleeve 45 locates itself in a recess 48, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, provided for in the body of the brush 40, so that the nozzle 45 and the conduit 44 are aligned.

It should be noted that the nozzle 4 includes a system 6 for indexing its positioning in a suction-device position. This system 6 includes a pivotally mounted connecting rod 60, restored through a spring 61, and capable of acting on the rotation of the part 50, or more specifically on the rotation of the brush 40 about the part 50.

It can thus be contemplated that, when the brush 40 rests on the floor, its positioning in the transverse direction with respect to the suction tube 2 is imposed by its being held by the user. On the other hand, when the brush 40 is separated from the floor, nothing imposes its orientation and it is freely pivoting about the part 50, which is, in turn, integral with the sleeve 45. The system 6 can then enter into operation. The connecting rod 60 is released, and the spring 61 causes it to pivot so that it engages a finger 55 of the part 50, which is in an eccentric position. It is caused to pivot according to the axis XX′, or more specifically, in a relative way, to cause the brush 40 to pivot about the part 50. Thus, the lifting of the brush 40 allows it to automatically adopt the suction-device position, and letting it rest on the floor allows overcoming the pulling force of the spring 61 and causing it to adopt its transverse position. 

1. Combined nozzle for a dust vacuum-cleaner, the nozzle comprising: a brush interchangeably arranged at an end of a tube connected to a suction device, said brush having a planar face on a lower side thereof; and a joint means for arrange said brush in at least two different positions, transversely with respect to said tube or longitudinally in an extension of said tube, in each position, suction being carried out through an opening provided for at a level of said planar face and over a full length of said planar face, or part of same, or through an opening positioned at one of the ends, respectively, wherein said joint means comprise means for pivoting according to at least two axes so that, when said brush is positioned for use for suction through one end, said brush is oriented so that said planar face as well as a longitudinal axis of said brush are substantially parallel to an axis of said tube.
 2. Combined nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said brush has an upper portion shaped, on a side opposite a side or end with said opening, accommodating the tube, when said tube is arranged along an axis of said opening.
 3. Combined nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising: a spring means restoring said brush into the longitudinal position, in the extension of the tube.
 4. Combined nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the joint means are comprised of a hollow spherical joint.
 5. Combined nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said joint means comprise a pivotal chamber, into which ends the tube and an opening in communication with either said opening or the opening provided for at the level of the planar face, depending on pivoting of said brush.
 6. Combined nozzle according to claim 5, wherein the tube is pivotally mounted on the movable pivotal chamber, according to an axis perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to another axis of pivoting of said pivotal chamber.
 7. Combined nozzle according to claim 6, wherein the end of the tube closely penetrates said pivotal chamber, depending on pivoting of said brush.
 8. Combined nozzle according to claim 7, further comprising: an automatic indexing system for said brush in the extension of the tube, the indexing system comprising a connecting rode pivotally articulated on said brush, restored by a spring, and engaging an eccentric resting point support of the movable pivotal chamber. 